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Aromatherapy, massage, acupressure and fitness swimming sound like the
services offered at an exclusive spa. All that's missing at Rocky's Retreat in
Orlando, Fla., is human clientele.

At their new dog health and fitness center, Sherri Cappabianca and co-owner
Toby Gass offer dogs an array of gentle, noninvasive services that they consider
to be far from frivolous indulgences. "It's absolutely integral to their
health," says Cappabianca, who has more than 1,000 hours of training in canine
aqua therapy, small-animal massage, small-animal acupressure, canine behavior
and related fields.

Increasingly, dog owners understand that their pets need regular exercise and
preventative efforts to maintain good health. They're finding that the sorts of
therapies we humans enjoy, such as aromatherapy and massage, also serve their
dogs well.

Does Your Dog Need a Fitness Center?Clients come to Rocky's Retreat for myriad reasons,
says Cappabianca. For example, swimming may help rehabilitate your dog after an
injury. Obese dogs, dogs that need gentle exercise, high-energy dogs in need of
a release, dogs that experience stress (such as service dogs) and dogs with
behavioral issues can benefit as well, says Cappabianca. Aromatherapy can be
soothing for anxious dogs, while massage can work well for senior dogs, among
others.

It can also simply be practical for you as a dog owner to use a dog fitness
center, says Dr. Craig Woods, a Prescott, Ariz., veterinarian who did his
graduate work on muscle biochemistry during exercise. "Dog fitness centers can
be an excellent way for dog owners to provide their pet's exercise
requirements," says Woods.

What to Expect From a Dog Fitness CenterRocky's Retreat
is designed to be a soothing sanctuary, with a welcoming lobby, a spacious room
for doggie day care, a pair of treatment rooms, an indoor pool and a large
backyard. When it comes to swimming, "one of us is in the pool at all times,
with our hands on the dog at all times," says Cappabianca. "If a dog is
paralyzed or partially paralyzed, we exercise those limbs. With high-energy
dogs, we control their speed with resistance. We start at the far end of the
pool and have them swim toward their owner."

Clients might schedule a massage every couple of weeks or a swim once a week.
At Rocky's Retreat, prices range from $90 for an hour swim, to $85 for
aromatherapy, to $60 for a massage/acupressure treatment. The center also offers
specials, memberships and therapy packages.

Because dog fitness centers generally aren't regulated, it's up to you to do
your research and make sure the center you use follows certain standards.
Consider these factors before you use a facility:

Training and credentials Technicians should have experience
and training in the services they are offering. They'll often list their
training and affiliations on the fitness center website, as Cappabianca
does.

The ability to handle veterinary emergencies "It is also
important that the pet exercise center have qualified staff that has some
experience in veterinary care," says Woods. "Always ask a pet exercise center
what their staff qualifications are, and make sure they have a veterinarian who
can attend to emergencies or situations that might arise." The center might not
have a veterinarian on staff, but it should have an affiliation with a
veterinarian who can be called upon when needed.

A range of programs The center should be able to tailor
programs for a dog's age, breed, weight range and other considerations, says
Woods.

A quality facility Cappabianca has seen supposed canine
aqua facilities simply run out of someone's backyard pool. The facility should
be clean, welcoming and designed with your dog in mind. Evaluate how your dog
will get into and out of the pool, and make sure the surface surrounding the
pool is nonslip. The area should be secure to prevent canine escapes, notes
Cappabianca. Understand how pool sanitation is maintained. "Ours is ozone-based,
so there's less chlorine than there is in drinking water," she notes. The
facility should maintain liability insurance.

As with any aspect of your dog's health, you should consult with your
veterinarian before your dog engages in a new fitness routine.

Kim Boatmanis a journalist based in Northern
California. She is also the managing editor of ExceptionalCanine.com.
Boatman's work has appeared in TheMiami Herald,
the Detroit Free Press and the San Jose Mercury News. She
is a lifelong lover of animals, and a frequent contributor to The Dog
Daily.

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